Monday, October 31, 2011

Beast of the weeK : Balance and the Traveling Sounds - Something About Us ( Daft Punk Cover - Studio Version )

'I want to be the reason you smile everyday'

Balance and the Traveling Sounds - Something About Us (Daft Punk Cover) - (Studio Version) by Drugs and Mirrors

In order to make a cover successful, you need to maintain the integrity of the original, yet add your own creative elements and dynamics.  Balance and Traveling sounds achieve this with superior talent and skill. The lead singer, Mike Eddie, has an immaculate range, and sultry voice, which he demonstrates as he pours a, personal and heart-felt verse over the intro and into the chorus. Which proceeds into a jazz breakdown. Now the kids these days are far concerned with 'filthy drops',  which will never compare to a jazz break down, noticeable after the verse chorus(3:00). Where each instrument takes the lead with their own personal interpretation and attempt at expressing unrequited love.
Despite what the lyrics suggest, it is always the right time for, a soulful, cover of Daft Punk's 'Something About Us'.


Wednesday, October 19, 2011

Artist of the Month : Logic

From its infantile state, in the early 1970s, to the contemporary cash-cow today, hip hop has been around for over 30 years. Like all musical genres, it has grown, matured, and flourished, but it has also strayed from its original roots. In it's juvenile stages, hip hop was praised for it lyricism with intellectual capacity, focus on social development, and addressed personal issues. This can not be applied to the majority of modern hip-hop.  With that said it is beyond refreshing to see a new artist emerge, who maintains the integrity, and emobiment 'classic hip-hop'. This prodigious artist is Logic.


Logic - Addiction by Drugs and Mirrors

 Fresh off his sophomore mix-tape, Logic shows dedication that makes a Tibetan  Monk temple look like a shanty town of homeless people.  His apparent skill, and realism allow him to shine through the plethora of mediocrity.

Logic - All I Do by Drugs and Mirrors

Logic had originally confirmed to sit down with Drugs and Mirrors to do an interview. Unfortunately due to time constraints, he was unable. The team here at DnM completely understands, and looks forward to more work from this outstanding individual.

Saturday, October 15, 2011

Beast of the weeK : Madeon - Teaser Part 1

Contemporary French Renaissance
Madeon, the leader of the French House Renaissance, wields a Novation Launchpad, slamming out insane EDM tracks, one after another. At the ripe young age of 17,  Madeon has created a musical outside the pants hand-job, with his most recent release, titled 'teaser part 1'. So while listening, dancing, and flat out grooving, be wary of Rick Hanson.
Ushering in with a fluttering synth pad, accompanied by angelic vocals, and soothing piano, Madeon grabs you by the collar only to say ' I am going to melt-your-fucking-face-off', metaphorically speaking, of course.  Proceeded by drums that drop in unison with a filtered chord progression, the song truly begins.

Friday, October 14, 2011

Chillax Trax : Apparat - Goodbye

I Won...
Goodbye by apparat

We fear the inevitable, for we are destined to succumb to its permanent ambiguity. Yet with the knowledge of the unknown, many men lead lives of avoidance, which enslaves the mind, body and soul in a state of stagnancy. Where men take no steps, take no chances, only to slumber, burdened with the weight of regret. This, is the folly of man, the true ban of existence. Only once, death is acknowledge and accepted may the first step be taken taken, which inevitably ends in death.
Appart's - Goodbye is the entire embodiment of crossing the threshold.  Accompanied by a lone, sullen piano, and near marching beat, Goodbye definitely is encapsulation of accepting fate, and taking the first and final step. In which a voice from the other side echoes
'Neither ever, nor never / Goodbye / Goodbye' 

Thursday, October 13, 2011

Beast of the weeK : Brenton Duvall - Phone Rings Goodbye ( Mike Posner + Jon Brion )

Eternally Chill
Brenton Duvall - Phone Rings Goodbye ( Mike Posner + Jon Brion ) by Drugs and Mirrors

 If someone stated that Jay Electronica and Mike Posner could adequately justify the same beat, large hunks of cinder block would be hurdled in the general direction, only to be preceded by excessive bludgeoning for such erroneous statements. Post-trial and conviction, I would stand morally and musically corrected. Brenton Duvall mashes Mike Posners - Save Your Goodbyes with Jon Brions - Phone Call, in  pure melodic cacophony.  Surprisingly, the inflection and cadence of Posners vocals fit perfectly with the looped guitar of  Phone Call.  In Brenton's remix he; revamps the beat, in a two-step minimalist approach, extends the vocals and adds the slightest dash of reverb.  Despite the heart-ache, break up lyrics, the track develops quite the soothing sensation, a brain smothered in vics vapo-rub.  
Its result, is surprisingly enjoyable.

DnM

Wednesday, October 12, 2011

Hip-Hop Hump Day : Shad - The Calling feat Jermiside & Destruments

"I Caught a Glimpse of Heaven, It's Beautiful as Hell"

  Featuring  Shad, 'The Old Prince', once prior on, Drugs and Mirrors, did not assert the lyrical talent this man posses.  His flow and rhymes are immaculate, and his ability to hit the the beat, which is produced by Danny Diggs, is ineffable. 
Starting with an echoed announcer expressing his pleasure and excitement in introducing the up coming artist, a feeling which entirely mutual, the track begins. Which smoothly progresses into then 2nd verse, where Shad explicitly describes the effect of music through him and onto the crowd, where 'fellas heads bounce, and the ladies hip gyrate / noise projects and reflects, the joy in my face"  Slowly, the hook digs in, embedding its self in your sub-conscious, easing the anxiety of everyday life.
DnM